Once Upon a Castle - Jill Gregory [85]
Felicity sighed in distress. She needed a friend here at Falcon’s Lair, one who could help her through this labyrinth. But whom could she trust?
“Ah, here you are, ma’am.” Bean looked up from the cozy fire she had built on the hearth. “There’s a real chill in the air tonight. Thought you might enjoy a bit of warmth after your meal with Lady Honora and Dr. St. John.”
Felicity stepped close to the fire and perched on the edge of the sofa, choosing her words carefully. “What do you know about the mistress of Falcon’s Lair, Bean?”
The little maid shrugged. “Not much, ma’am. Lady Honora’s a mystery. The last thing Lord William’s father expected was for his son to return from abroad with a wife. Especially since…” She stopped herself in midsentence and glanced away.
“Go on, Bean. Especially since what?”
The little maid lowered her voice and settled herself on a footstool at Felicity’s feet. “Begging your pardon, ma’am. Everyone knew that Lord William and Diana Summerville loved each other. And had since they were children. Why, it near broke Diana’s heart when she heard the news of his marriage. But she has tried in every way to be a friend to William’s new wife.”
“Tell me about William’s accident. Do you know how it came about?”
Bean nodded. “Lord William’s horse stumbled during a race across the moors.”
“Who was he racing against?”
“Dr. St. John.” The little maid hugged her knees. “The doctor boasted that his gelding could beat any horse in England and dared his cousin to prove him wrong. Everyone knew Lord William could never refuse a dare, and he was overly proud of Titan, his black stallion.”
“How did Lord William’s new bride react to the news that her husband was going to attempt a dangerous race?”
Bean thought for a moment. “I’d say she was quite eager about it, ma’am. Encouraged him. You see, she often complained that there was no excitement here at Falcon’s Lair.”
Felicity stared into the flames, her mind awhirl with chilling thoughts. “It looks as if she got more excitement than she bargained for.” At length she said, “Please send my regrets to Lady Honora. Tell her I am indisposed and will not be joining the others in the parlor tonight.”
A crescent moon hung suspended in a midnight sky. Starlight filtered through the tall, narrow windows as Felicity made her way along the upper gallery. Candles flickering in sconces along the walls sent the gargoyles’ shadows into an eerie dance.
Bean had told her about this gallery, hung with portraits of every lord of the manor, from the first Lord Falcon to the present. Since all in the castle were sleeping, Felicity thought it the perfect time to investigate.
She lifted her candle high, studying the faces in the portraits. Though the manner of dress changed dramatically through the ages, the faces of the men were strangely similar and hauntingly familiar. The same dark hair and eyes. The same full, sculpted lips, firm and unsmiling. The same eyes. Piercing. Knowing.
She moved slowly past the shadowed faces, pausing now and then to read a name, a date of birth or death. When she reached the far end of the gallery, she stopped in front of a portrait and, with pounding heart, lifted her candle to study the face of the first Lord Falcon.
“What are you doing here? And at such a late hour?”
Felicity spun around and brought a hand to her throat. “Maud—Mrs. Atherton. You…gave me quite a start.”
The housekeeper glowered at her. “Lady Honora said you were indisposed.”
“Just a bit weary, I’m afraid. But now I find I can’t sleep. I thought I’d explore some of the castle.” She knew she was babbling and turned away to avoid the woman’s pointed look. But when the light from her candle illuminated Gareth’s face staring down at her from its ornamental frame, she let out a gasp of surprise.
Following her gaze, the old woman misunderstood her reaction. “A fearsome countenance, is it not?” She paused beside Felicity and stared at the portrait. “But handsome and charming as well. He is Gareth, the first Lord Falcon. A dashing nobleman and close friend